The Problem

🎧 - listen

  • Conscientiousness = honesty + self-control

Of all personality types, conscientious people tend to fare best on a number of key measures. They live the longest, have the most career success and are less likely to go through divorce. They even manage to hold down a job during recessions. Intuitively, this makes sense. Life isn’t just about knowing what you should do, or having the resources to do it, it’s about following through. Being motivated and persistent is a huge help.

John Burn-Murdoch, Financial Times

Conscientiousness

  • 30% reported 1 point lower…more neurotic…less agreeable

Follow Through

  • easily distracted…less tenacious…less likely to make and deliver on commitments

Social Skills

  • preference for digital communication…“ghosting”

Must be taught

🎧 - listen

  • As a society we are failing to teach honesty and self-control
  • Parents aren’t teaching them authoritatively
  • Schools are focusing on content rather than character
    • 🔥 “Greatness of Heart, Mind and Character” - Montrose

Modeling Honesty

🎧 - listen

  • Children watch more than they listen
  • Avoid little white lies
  • not going to hell for a bottle of soda

Teaching Self-Control

🎧 - listen

  • Need rules and boundaries
  • Make decisions for what is good, not for what feels good
  • Make Your Bed, Admiral William H. McRaven (2014)

Conclusion

Conscientiousness will separate those who just survive from those who thrive in the 21st century. We can each decide which half of that divide we fall on — but ironically that will take some dedication.

John Burn-Murdoch, Financial Times

The common culprits

  • cell phones
  • streaming services
  • social media
  • online gambling
  • hyper-palatable food

💭 - Discussion on Honesty

🎧 - listen

  • 5 minutes to discuss

💭 - Discussion on Self-Control

🎧 - listen

  • 5 minutes to discuss

Upcoming Events

  • MFC: December 11 (Thursday)
  • November 14 Upper School Trivia Night (Friday)
  • November 13, @ Sparhawk
    • Mr. Michael Drahos, MA, MS: Stories that Mold Our Minds: The Critical Role of Narrative in our Development and Ongoing Mental Health